Module development and code questions

In developing a module, how can I make other modules it relies upon show and become enabled as 'required'?

After looking at the e-commerce module there seems to be a hook_install() function I can implement, except it doesn't seem to be included in the drupaldocs anywhere and I can't get it to work - it seems just to be ignored.

In addition to this I was wondering is there a drupal IRC channel of some kind where I can talk live with drupal developers? I'm working on a complex project and could use some Q&A assistance from the gurus..

Is there a move to add a default selection to forms for select elements? I need to present an alphabetical list where the most common selection is not the first. I would like to preselect, as the default, one value. If select elements had a default field added then I could specify the default.

I installed the forms module and found I had to run some SQL by hand. Then I had to edit the SQL to place the drupal_ prefix in the table names. Perhaps the Drupal module installation process be improved so that the table creation process can be in a standard function that is run when the module is first enabled in admin.

The SQL could be conditional to create the table if the table does not exist. The existing SQL function would automatically supply the table prefix.

Hi.

I'm currently rewriting a previous project of mine to integrate it into drupal. The main thing that the module would do is create pdf's.

My work is almost finished (needs some documentation still) but relies on a pdf 'library' that i found easy to use at the time i did the original project.
I would like to contribute my work to drupal, but i'm a bit puzzled on how to do it 'right'.

I am converting my existing (static HTML) site to Drupal and require a printer friendly module for content pages. There is not currently a printer friendly module compatible with 4.6, so I'm not sure what my best course of action should be:

1) Install 4.5 (which includes the printer friendly module) and upgrade to 4.6 when it is released.

2) Install 4.6 and wait for the printer friendly module.

3) Install 4.6 and port the printer friendly module myself.

I've created a module that sends notifications in the style phpBB does. It have a settings page where you can change the message subject and body. I know that many of you have been asking for such a module.

I don't have access to cvs, so if you want to test it (it works for me in 4.6.0), tell me here to post a link to the code.

If some developer want to include it in cvs, i'll be pleased (i don't know anything about cvs usage).